On getting my first Covid19 shot

[zendog3]

When my wife and I left The Villages for Leesburg, I had a vague feeling of both dread and hope. We were both near 80 with “pre-existing conditions.” If Covid 19 got us, the odds are that one or both of us would die. In my car, I sensed relative security was only 20 minutes away.

The mall we went to is a seedy place. The Sears store where the shots were to be given would have been bustling 20 years ago. Now, with faded paint and pealing signs, the image was of an America in decline. The older adults, like us, making their way to the store, were gray and bald. Some walking. Some in wheelchairs or walkers.

Inside, the store bustled once again. Young men and women, firefighters, off-duty police, and nurses moved us from station, taking information, giving us our shots, and watching for reactions. These people were cheerful, and they exuded pride in their role in saving lives.

As we moved along, my gratitude for all the people that made this moment possible grew. The public health people at the CDC, the bureaucrats who hustled the science through, the scientists who broke records producing the vaccine in record time, and these people, going beyond to vaccinate so many strangers.

On the way home, my gratitude continued to grow. It extended to the businesses who enforce covid rules and to you. People who ignored the doubters. People who stayed inside and wore masks. You were protecting yourself. But you also recognized a responsibility to others.

All of us Americans working in concert saved my life. Thank you.

I have often wondered how during WWII, all Americans worked together to defeat a formidable enemy. I wondered if we still had that American spirit. I should have known. That spirit was working under my feet. I just failed to see it.

America is at war, and millions of Americans working as one are fighting and winning. This may sound patriotic. Maybe it is. A patriot is not a person who waves a flag. A patriot is a person who works together with his fellow man, acting as a single force for the good of all Americans. Patriots ignore the deniers and doubters.

I used to worry that we as a nation were too fractured to meet the challenges of a warming earth, deforestation, foreign enemies. I now feel confident that, with leadership that brings us together, rather than fracturing us along lines of race, religion, and ethnology, we can do anything that must be done.

[dewilson58]

:bigbow:

[Nucky]

Beautiful words zendog3. Love your post and agree with you as far as the sacrifice and effort people made to get us that close to getting the shot.

I left the site in Leesburg and came home without my first shot. There was no organization whatsoever outside and I don't think they heard of Social Distancing. I couldn't bring myself to risk going into the building for an hour or more to wait for the shot. It was a madhouse the day I went. People were to close to one another. It was disgusting.

I hope everyone else who goes to this location has a much better experience than I did. Sometimes you just have to maker the rough call and do what you have to do.

[mokey]

I felt it was a safe and orderly experience for both my first and second shot and thank the people involved.

[Stu from NYC]

Beautiful words zendog3. Love your post and agree with you as far as the sacrifice and effort people made to get us that close to getting the shot.

I left the site in Leesburg and came home without my first shot. There was no organization whatsoever outside and I don't think they heard of Social Distancing. I couldn't bring myself to risk going into the building for an hour or more to wait for the shot. It was a madhouse the day I went. People were to close to one another. It was disgusting.

I hope everyone else who goes to this location has a much better experience than I did. Sometimes you just have to maker the rough call and do what you have to do.

We had our first shot about 10 days ago.

Outside there was an orderly line and unfortunately social distancing was not practiced however everyone wore a mask.

Inside they did a great job everyone separated and we felt very safe.

[village dreamer]

my wife and i went to the mall last thur., that place is a well run.in and out in about 30 min. that was my 1st shot.

[sdeikenberry]

My wife and I both had good experiences of four different occasions to get both us two shots. Each time it was orderly, quick, and well run. We were never there more than 35 mins, and that included the post shot waiting time. Social distance mostly happened. Lake County has it well organized...unlike the disappointing Sumter County.

[scottiesrgreat@gmail.com]

Well, Nucky - Your attitude could not be anymore opposite than the original poster.

If only we could all have such a positive outlook on life as the initial poster of this thread - thank you!!!

I do not worry about what anyone else does - it just isn’t worth it - if someone decides not to wear a mask or not to distance - I have legs or a wheel chair or my walker and, if I feel threatened in any way- I am a big boy and I am mobile and I will move. I am responsible for my own actions and my own situations. I do not shame or chastise any one else for how they choose to live their lives.

Life is great!! With the right attitude!!! I choose to live life!

[Kathe]

Thank you for an uplifting post!

[Kathy Plato]

Amen!!!

[bonrich]

My wife and I went to the Sears store to get our first covid shot and will go tomorrow for the final. We did not find the store decrepit and seedy at all. It was organized and thought out all the way through. It was clean, well lighted, with clean restroom facilities available. Social distancing was recognized, and after the injection we were guided to an area where seating was set up spaced for us to wait the 15 minutes before leaving. Many helpful volunteers were there to help and answer questions. By the way, my wife was in a wheelchair because of recent surgery. Happy not in a muddy field, or chasing down the services and trying to find out where they are!

[sallyg]

Wonderful post. Wish this could appear in every paper in the country. You made my day.

[coconutmama]

What a lovely post. Thank you. I too have often thought with so much selfishness in America today, how would we withstand another world war. Now I know! 🇺🇸

[donbettyr]

We went there last Thursday. Walked in at 1:40 for our 2:15 & 3:15 appointments. Had vaccine in our arms by 1:48!!

[Marykschulz]

My husband and I got our 2nd Pfizer shots at the Lake County mall in Leesburg. It was very well organized with lots of good help. Thankfully we had no side effects to either shot and are very greatful for being more protected as we know lots of Villagers who got pretty sick from it.

[Dgodin]

Very well said!

[DAVES]

When my wife and I left The Villages for Leesburg, I had a vague feeling of both dread and hope. We were both near 80 with “pre-existing conditions.” If Covid 19 got us, the odds are that one or both of us would die. In my car, I sensed relative security was only 20 minutes away.

The mall we went to is a seedy place. The Sears store where the shots were to be given would have been bustling 20 years ago. Now, with faded paint and pealing signs, the image was of an America in decline. The older adults, like us, making their way to the store, were gray and bald. Some walking. Some in wheelchairs or walkers.

Inside, the store bustled once again. Young men and women, firefighters, off-duty police, and nurses moved us from station, taking information, giving us our shots, and watching for reactions. These people were cheerful, and they exuded pride in their role in saving lives.

As we moved along, my gratitude for all the people that made this moment possible grew. The public health people at the CDC, the bureaucrats who hustled the science through, the scientists who broke records producing the vaccine in record time, and these people, going beyond to vaccinate so many strangers.

On the way home, my gratitude continued to grow. It extended to the businesses who enforce covid rules and to you. People who ignored the doubters. People who stayed inside and wore masks. You were protecting yourself. But you also recognized a responsibility to others.

All of us Americans working in concert saved my life. Thank you.

I have often wondered how during WWII, all Americans worked together to defeat a formidable enemy. I wondered if we still had that American spirit. I should have known. That spirit was working under my feet. I just failed to see it.

America is at war, and millions of Americans working as one are fighting and winning. This may sound patriotic. Maybe it is. A patriot is not a person who waves a flag. A patriot is a person who works together with his fellow man, acting as a single force for the good of all Americans. Patriots ignore the deniers and doubters.

I used to worry that we as a nation were too fractured to meet the challenges of a warming earth, deforestation, foreign enemies. I now feel confident that, with leadership that brings us together, rather than fracturing us along lines of race, religion, and ethnology, we can do anything that must be done.

Too many other posters think it is there duty to complain about something.

I do wonder how some of these people would deal with a real problem.

We also got our first shot at the closed Sears store in Leesburg. I was told they deliver 8,000 shots per day. Not certain but I think there were 20 stations doing it. I got #14, my lucky number and there were several higher than the one I got. Imagine, if, I am right it is 400 shots per day. Some people are scared, some are lost. some have medical issues. They, at least everyone I dealt with were professional and at the same time had not lost humanity.

Not counting the fact that my wife, insists on getting everywhere too early, based on our appointment time we were in and out in 45 minutes. It, could not possibly have been better done.

[MandoMan]

Amen! I felt such relief and liberation when I got my second shot.

[DAVES]

What a lovely post. Thank you. I too have often thought with so much selfishness in America today, how would we withstand another world war. Now I know! 🇺🇸

Do not allow them to drag you down. There are still good people. Even good people, whatever that means, can make you wonder about what they are doing,thinking.

What was. I have, located some movies of my family from like 1955. They were on 16mm and we never had a 16mm projector so I had never seen them. As a kid, I remember my parent disciplining me for tossing the wrapper and the sticks from
one of those popsicles. I thus remembered, the streets were far cleaner in the good old days. Well the movies show clearly the streets were full of trash blowing around.

Playground pictures. It is a miracle we survived that equipment.

Sadly, for all of us, we see the evil. We do not take the time to notice the good.

[pmken2]

I had my first shot at the mall in leesburg on their soft opening and it was organized then. On my second shot last Friday they were super organized and handled people there for their 1st and 2nd shots great. I was totally impressed with their organization and care. I think they learned as they went and now have a great system. I keep hearing horror stories from the Sumter site, so I'm glad I went to the mall in Leesburg.

[albes19@comcast.net]

Yes it was bustling 20 years ago and as retired nurse I realized we are all in this together!

[Investment Painting Contractors]

I had my first shot at the mall in leesburg on their soft opening and it was organized then. On my second shot last Friday they were super organized and handled people there for their 1st and 2nd shots great. I was totally impressed with their organization and care. I think they learned as they went and now have a great system. I keep hearing horror stories from the Sumter site, so I'm glad I went to the mall in Leesburg.

Mary and I went to the Sumter site last Sat. It was organized quick and friendly. Out in 45mins without leaving the car. Took friends to the Lake Mall site 2 weeks ago it was quick and efficient. The workers at both locations could not have been nicer.

[zuidemab]

We could use more zendog3 attitudes; complete with positive actions toward others. Thank you

[Paddygirl]

How does one get an appointment for Leesburg? We are still waiting for our 1st shots.
Thank you.

[Investment Painting Contractors]

How does one get an appointment for Leesburg? We are still waiting for our 1st shots.
Thank you.

Go to the front page of the Daily Sun. Go to the web sites listed or call the phone numbers. We went on line Jan 13th and got our first shot on Feb 20th. My neighbors went on Jan 14th and are getting their shots today. Look at your reply that they sent you when you checked in. Then check the date and figure roughly 1 month. Then they give you your appointment for the 2nd shot while you're there. GOOD LUCK Len & Mary

[lennythenet]

Thank you for your uplifting post! Have a wonderful day!

[jimjamuser]

When my wife and I left The Villages for Leesburg, I had a vague feeling of both dread and hope. We were both near 80 with “pre-existing conditions.” If Covid 19 got us, the odds are that one or both of us would die. In my car, I sensed relative security was only 20 minutes away.

The mall we went to is a seedy place. The Sears store where the shots were to be given would have been bustling 20 years ago. Now, with faded paint and pealing signs, the image was of an America in decline. The older adults, like us, making their way to the store, were gray and bald. Some walking. Some in wheelchairs or walkers.

Inside, the store bustled once again. Young men and women, firefighters, off-duty police, and nurses moved us from station, taking information, giving us our shots, and watching for reactions. These people were cheerful, and they exuded pride in their role in saving lives.

As we moved along, my gratitude for all the people that made this moment possible grew. The public health people at the CDC, the bureaucrats who hustled the science through, the scientists who broke records producing the vaccine in record time, and these people, going beyond to vaccinate so many strangers.

On the way home, my gratitude continued to grow. It extended to the businesses who enforce covid rules and to you. People who ignored the doubters. People who stayed inside and wore masks. You were protecting yourself. But you also recognized a responsibility to others.

All of us Americans working in concert saved my life. Thank you.

I have often wondered how during WWII, all Americans worked together to defeat a formidable enemy. I wondered if we still had that American spirit. I should have known. That spirit was working under my feet. I just failed to see it.

America is at war, and millions of Americans working as one are fighting and winning. This may sound patriotic. Maybe it is. A patriot is not a person who waves a flag. A patriot is a person who works together with his fellow man, acting as a single force for the good of all Americans. Patriots ignore the deniers and doubters.

I used to worry that we as a nation were too fractured to meet the challenges of a warming earth, deforestation, foreign enemies. I now feel confident that, with leadership that brings us together, rather than fracturing us along lines of race, religion, and ethnology, we can do anything that must be done.
Winston Churchill said something similar to the sentiments in this thread. Paraphrasing - Americans always do the RIGHT thing........after ALL other options are exhausted. This thread-starting author has some good writing and wordsmithing skills. But.....it seems to me to be colored by rose-colored glasses due to the euphoria of receiving a life-continuing CV shot, which increases the possibility of returning to a "normal life".

I can find some other , small, criticisms of the thread starter - mentioned was "warming earth" - it is unfortunate that, as shown by the disaster in Texas, that we (the 1st world countries that caused it) are past the point of controlling Global Warming (aka global weirding)! The part about. "all Americans working in concert" - this did NOT really happen. Just ask Bob Woodward. The proof is that the Australians and Europeans did MUCH better than us wonderful-"all Americans". The proof is that we are #1 in CV deaths. The part about "patriots are NOT doubters and deniers - Well, doubters and deniers still will consider themselves "patriots" because they have been well propagandized. It will take UNLEARNING of that propaganda before America can return to its universal Patriotism that existed after WW2. That may or may NOT happen in the future? And that part about "America fighting and winning the CV war" - well, that war is NOT yet over - you MAY (?) have won a battle for yourself temporarily - but, the CV enemy has yet to sign the peace treaty to end that war!..... On a lighter note ....Zendog is a GREAT forum handle! Keep writing!

[jimjamuser]

Beautiful words zendog3. Love your post and agree with you as far as the sacrifice and effort people made to get us that close to getting the shot.

I left the site in Leesburg and came home without my first shot. There was no organization whatsoever outside and I don't think they heard of Social Distancing. I couldn't bring myself to risk going into the building for an hour or more to wait for the shot. It was a madhouse the day I went. People were to close to one another. It was disgusting.

I hope everyone else who goes to this location has a much better experience than I did. Sometimes you just have to maker the rough call and do what you have to do.
That is some serious willpower that you showed leaving. I assume that it was some kind of 1st come, 1st served" non-systematic offering. I blame Florida for not going with vaccinating the over-85, then the over-75, and THEN the over-65. There are too many over-65 for the early supplies of vaccine. That is how EXTREME frustration and cheating occur. And people lose confidence in their government and turn into anarchists or conspiracy lovers. They end up believing NOTHING and then are ripe for government overthrow!

[jimjamuser]

That is some serious willpower that you showed leaving. I assume that it was some kind of 1st come, 1st served" non-systematic offering. I blame Florida for not going with vaccinating the over-85, then the over-75, and THEN the over-65. There are too many over-65 for the early supplies of vaccine. That is how EXTREME frustration and cheating occur. And people lose confidence in their government and turn into anarchists or conspiracy lovers. They end up believing NOTHING and then are ripe for government overthrow!
Slight disclaimer - I wrote my posts after only reading the early negative posts. I had NOT
read the latter, bulk-of the posts which were universally POSITIVE. I should have read all the posts before responding. My bad. I hope that there was still SOME value in SOME of what I wrote. It was not ALL negative.

[coffeebean]

Well, Nucky - Your attitude could not be anymore opposite than the original poster.

If only we could all have such a positive outlook on life as the initial poster of this thread - thank you!!!

I do not worry about what anyone else does - it just isn’t worth it - if someone decides not to wear a mask or not to distance - I have legs or a wheel chair or my walker and, if I feel threatened in any way- I am a big boy and I am mobile and I will move. I am responsible for my own actions and my own situations. I do not shame or chastise any one else for how they choose to live their lives.

Life is great!! With the right attitude!!! I choose to live life!

What would you do in this circumstance? This is a real situation that I personally watched. Sitting at a breakfast counter in a local restaurant, all seats are available to sit at as there are no seats blocked off. There were plenty of seats at one end of the one end of the counter. At the other end of the counter was one person, then an empty seat, then another person next to that empty seat. Both patrons were eating their breakfast. Along comes a third person and sits in the empty seat, right in the middle of the two that were already seated and eating their breakfast. No one spoke to one another so they evidently did not know each other.

What would you have done in that situation where a stranger sat right next to you, basically shoulder to shoulder when there were plenty of seats available at the other end of the counter?

I just sat there, shaking my head.

[Byte1]

Winston Churchill said something similar to the sentiments in this thread. Paraphrasing - Americans always do the RIGHT thing........after ALL other options are exhausted. This thread-starting author has some good writing and wordsmithing skills. But.....it seems to me to be colored by rose-colored glasses due to the euphoria of receiving a life-continuing CV shot, which increases the possibility of returning to a "normal life".

I can find some other , small, criticisms of the thread starter - mentioned was "warming earth" - it is unfortunate that, as shown by the disaster in Texas, that we (the 1st world countries that caused it) are past the point of controlling Global Warming (aka global weirding)! The part about. "all Americans working in concert" - this did NOT really happen. Just ask Bob Woodward. The proof is that the Australians and Europeans did MUCH better than us wonderful-"all Americans". The proof is that we are #1 in CV deaths. The part about "patriots are NOT doubters and deniers - Well, doubters and deniers still will consider themselves "patriots" because they have been well propagandized. It will take UNLEARNING of that propaganda before America can return to its universal Patriotism that existed after WW2. That may or may NOT happen in the future? And that part about "America fighting and winning the CV war" - well, that war is NOT yet over - you MAY (?) have won a battle for yourself temporarily - but, the CV enemy has yet to sign the peace treaty to end that war!..... On a lighter note ....Zendog is a GREAT forum handle! Keep writing!

Another glass half empty.

[Jerry101]

I used to worry that we as a nation were too fractured to meet the challenges of a warming earth, deforestation, foreign enemies. I now feel confident that, with leadership that brings us together, rather than fracturing us along lines of race, religion, and ethnology, we can do anything that must be done.

This is the final paragraph from the OP. Up until that paragraph I (like most) was saying ‘Here ye here ye! But that last paragraph leaves me reeling! I’m sorry! Most of us are advanced seniors. With ‘one chapter’ left in our lives we should be above these petty political struggles ... but new ‘leadership’ has not led 75 million to the trough! We ought to get to our knees more often in asking GOD’s help ... and pray for each other!

[talleyjm]

When my wife and I left The Villages for Leesburg, I had a vague feeling of both dread and hope. We were both near 80 with “pre-existing conditions.” If Covid 19 got us, the odds are that one or both of us would die. In my car, I sensed relative security was only 20 minutes away.

The mall we went to is a seedy place. The Sears store where the shots were to be given would have been bustling 20 years ago. Now, with faded paint and pealing signs, the image was of an America in decline. The older adults, like us, making their way to the store, were gray and bald. Some walking. Some in wheelchairs or walkers.

Inside, the store bustled once again. Young men and women, firefighters, off-duty police, and nurses moved us from station, taking information, giving us our shots, and watching for reactions. These people were cheerful, and they exuded pride in their role in saving lives.

As we moved along, my gratitude for all the people that made this moment possible grew. The public health people at the CDC, the bureaucrats who hustled the science through, the scientists who broke records producing the vaccine in record time, and these people, going beyond to vaccinate so many strangers.

On the way home, my gratitude continued to grow. It extended to the businesses who enforce covid rules and to you. People who ignored the doubters. People who stayed inside and wore masks. You were protecting yourself. But you also recognized a responsibility to others.

All of us Americans working in concert saved my life. Thank you.

I have often wondered how during WWII, all Americans worked together to defeat a formidable enemy. I wondered if we still had that American spirit. I should have known. That spirit was working under my feet. I just failed to see it.

America is at war, and millions of Americans working as one are fighting and winning. This may sound patriotic. Maybe it is. A patriot is not a person who waves a flag. A patriot is a person who works together with his fellow man, acting as a single force for the good of all Americans. Patriots ignore the deniers and doubters.

I used to worry that we as a nation were too fractured to meet the challenges of a warming earth, deforestation, foreign enemies. I now feel confident that, with leadership that brings us together, rather than fracturing us along lines of race, religion, and ethnology, we can do anything that must be done.

Beautiful sentiment. It’s unfortunate though that America doesn’t have the leadership “that brings us together.”

[Byte1]

Just received my wife's and my invitation to schedule our first shots in Lake Co. We already have our first dose and will be getting our second in a few days. Anyone that says they can't get scheduled is not trying very hard. I went about contacting all kinds of places and have already received several chances to schedule for both of us. Yes, it takes a computer OR a phone.

[Schaumburger]

To all those who have gotten their COVID-19 vaccines, thank you for being part of the solution to getting this country back to something approaching normalcy. My 90 year old father, who lives in eastern Iowa, got his first dose last week. His second dose is scheduled for March 10. I will breathe a big sigh of relief after March 10. I am under 65, so it may be another 4 months or so until I am eligible to be vaccinated. That day can't come soon enough.

Thank you to all the scientists who worked on the vaccines (and who will continue to work on refining the vaccines in the future), to the production teams at Pfizer and Moderna producing the vaccines, to the Fed Ex, UPS and logistics teams working on shipping the vaccine and to the teams administering the vaccines into people's arms. My hat is off to all of you. :bigbow: